RAMIFICATIONS OF ROADWAYS CONDITIONS AND TRAFFIC FEATURES ON ROADS SAFETY: A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE FOR JALANDHAR, PUNJAB (INDIA)

Abstract

India is in a developing phase and safety on roads is at a premature stage. Accidents are increasing day
by day leading to a great loss of life. Some have disablements, other damage to property and health,
and degradation of environment resulting in a situation in India that is at a tocsin stage.
Official records show that approximately 1, 42,000 persons were killed and approximately 4, 80,000
injured in traffic accidents in India in 2014 (NCRB 2015). However, this is underestimated since many
accidents are off the records also, as all accidents are not reported. This higher accident rate is due to
inadequacy of highways and GT roads which cannot meet the traffic demands or some other reasons
like vehicular defect, poor road geometry or road user behavior. These accidents deal a heavy blow to
the economy of a country. Hence, road safety is a necessity for reduction in accidents